A new study is out that revealed that epilepsy drugs increase risk of fractures falls and osteoporosis.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne and published in the Neurology journal, found that people taking antiepileptic drugs are up to four times more likely to suffer spine, collarbone and ankle fractures and is more likely to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Researchers looked at over 600 patients. Of the sample selected, 150 were drug users and 506 non-users.  All drug users were epilepsy outpatients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, over 15 years old and had been taking drugs for a minimum of three months.

More than 70 percent of epilepsy patients who participated in the study were unaware of the increased risk of fractures, decreased bone mineral density and falls associated with taking antiepileptic medications.

Chief Investigator, Prof John Wark from the University of Melbourne's Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital said this research revealed new information critical to understanding the higher risk for fractures and falls in epilepsy patients taking antiepileptic medication.

"No published studies have explored epilepsy patients' awareness of the effects of AEDs on bone health, fracture risk and falls.  This study indicates that awareness of these issues is poor, despite our study population attending specialist epilepsy clinics at a center with a major interest in this area," said Prof Wark.

Wark also said that patients need to be more educated on the drugs they take.

"We believe patients need to be offered better information to help them to avoid these risks and prevent injury," he said. "Most patients indicated they would like to be better informed about these issues, suggesting that more effective education strategies are warranted and would be well-received."

More than 70 percent of epilepsy patients who participated in the study were unaware of the increased risk of fractures, decreased bone mineral density and falls associated with taking antiepileptic medications.

"Epilepsy patients should be assessed regularly for their history of falls and fractures for appropriate management strategies to be offered," Wark said.

The study showed that patients taking epilepsy drugs are more than four times as likely as non-users of antiepileptic drugs to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. In addition, treatment affected balance with results showing almost double the falls rate in female patients taking the medication compared with non-users.